Jowitt looks at what is required for democracies to survive. He argues that modern democracy, with the focus on individualism, is radically different than any other previous social order. Moreover, he questions if stable democracies require periods of and/or small amounts of perpetual totalitarianism. He spends time analyzing the implications of individualism and group culture, which he calls corporatism.

Jowitt's biography includes: Professor, political science, University of California at Berkeley, 1968- ; dean of undergraduate studies, University of California at Berkeley, 1983-86; Pres and Maurine Hotchkis Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution.